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Residents press township on appointments and emergency right‑of‑way tree work
Summary
Public commenters raised concerns about appointed committee members' backgrounds and about emergency tree trimming that removed trees in a resident's frontage; staff said the work was in the public right-of-way for an emergent storm‑drain repair and offered follow-up with the resident.
During public comment, residents urged greater transparency about appointments to the Township Committee and sought explanations for recent roadside tree removals.
Candy Willis opened the public-comment period with a historical perspective on township appointments, noting several recent appointments and asking for more information about the background and public notice for new committee members. Her comments focused on process and local accountability rather than a single personnel matter.
Jim Irish of the Skillman section of Montgomery told the committee that, on March 4, Department of Public Works contractors cut down 20 trees in front of his house and severely trimmed another 10 without prior notification. Irish said he received no direct contact from township staff or contractors before the work and asked why the trees were removed, whether a survey had been done, what remediation would occur and what residents should expect next.
Administrator Lori responded that township staff received Mr. Irish's email, that engineering inspectors completed a survey before work began, and that the removals and trimming were conducted within the public right-of-way as part of an emergent storm-drain repair (the pipe had been found corroded). Lori said the township posted an electronic sign about road closures and detours and that staff would follow up with Mr. Irish and provide additional information at the next meeting. She also said that planting in the right-of-way is discouraged because utilities and pipes run under it and that the Shade Tree Committee can be consulted about replacement plantings where appropriate.
Why it matters: the exchange highlighted tensions between routine/urgent public-works needs and residents' expectations about notice and tree protection. Staff offered to meet with the resident and review the project’s notification and survey steps; the committee suggested follow-up public education about rights-of-way and notification procedures.
